JOHN B. DIEFENBACH
Founding Partner
John B. Diefenbach is a seasoned trial lawyer who, prior to founding the Diefenbach Group, served as a military lawyer with the rank of Major in the United States Marine Corps, was an equity partner and lead litigator in a national law firm, and most recently served as the Director of Litigation for Gruma Corporation d/b/a Mission Foods. In his role as Director of Litigation, John was responsible for an enormous national portfolio of legal matters, which included countless lawsuits, class actions, and investigations.
Although based in Dallas, Texas, John’s practice focuses on representing individuals, corporate entities, and institutions nationwide in a variety of matters including commercial and business litigation, employment litigation, NCAA infractions enforcement process, collegiate sports compliance, Title IX investigations, contract negotiations, white collar criminal defense, government investigations and military law.
John is a former collegiate athlete and volunteers as a youth football coach. John and his family reside in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
AWARDS
John received numerous awards and recognition while serving in the United States Marine Corps including:
- American Bar Association’s Outstanding Military Service Lawyer Award (2008-2009)
- Meritorious Service Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal
- Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal
- Iraq Campaign Medal
EDUCATION
John received his juris doctorate from Gonzaga University School of Law in 2004, and his B.A. in Political Science from the University of Utah in 2001.
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
Virginia
Texas
PRACTICE AREAS
- Complex Business Litigation, NCAA Infractions Process, Title IX, Employment Litigation, Contract Negotiation and Drafting, Investigations, Government Investigations, White Collar Criminal Defense, and Military Law
J. DAVID GOWDY
Of Counsel
J. David Gowdy is an experienced corporate and securities attorney who has practiced law in Texas and California with both large and small law firms and as in-house counsel. He started his legal career in Dallas, Texas representing large banks in lending transactions and moved on to California where he represented venture capital firms, among others. He has also served as an officer and director of several companies involved in real estate development, motion pictures, the internet, and energy exploration.
David’s practice focuses on representing individuals, corporate entities, and institutions in a broad range of matters including corporate/securities law, real estate law, and oil & gas law, among others.
EDUCATION
David received his Juris Doctorate degree from the J. Reuben Clark School of Law at BYU in 1982, Cum Laude, and his B.A. in Psychology and Business from Kansas State University, Phi Beta Kappa, in 1979.
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
Texas
California (inactive status)
PRACTICE AREAS
• Business formation, purchases and sales of assets, private placements of securities, corporate finance, contracts, real estate transactions, oil & gas exploration and leasing, wills, powers of attorney.
COURTNEY BRADLEY
Associate Attorney
Courtney Bradley is an attorney with experience in the areas of talents rights, civil litigation, criminal litigation, and construction law.
Courtney’s practice focuses on representing individuals and corporate entities with complex civil litigation, employment litigation, criminal litigation, and construction law disputes, as well as providing advice and counsel on talent rights, and name image and likeness law.
Courtney is a fitness enthusiast and loves to be outside with her dogs.
EDUCATION
Courtney received her juris doctorate from the J. Reuben Clark Law School – Brigham Young University in 2019 and her B.S. with Honors in Philosophy from Brigham Young University.
ADMITTED TO PRACTICE
Massachusetts
PRACTICE AREAS
- Civil litigation, Employment Litigation, Criminal Defense, Contract Negotiation and Drafting, Investigations, Talent Rights, and Name Image and Likeness
MARY DIEFENBACH
Director of Media Relations / Paralegal
Mary Diefenbach is an experienced public relations professional who oversees client accounts and brand reputation through proactive marketing and advocacy campaigns. Prior to joining the Diefenbach Group, Mary worked in public relations in both the private and public sector, including work for lobbying firms, as well as government agencies.
In addition to being Director of Media Relations. Mary provides paralegal support to the Diefenbach Group’s team of attorneys. She assists with representing clients in litigation matters. Mary is responsible for assisting with drafting pleadings; discovery requests; discovery responses; deposition notices; trial exhibit and witness lists; deposition summaries; and correspondence with clients, courts, government agencies, and other entities. Her expertise includes organizing exhibits, assembling trial notebooks, and assisting attorneys during trial.
EDUCATION
Mary received her M.A. in International Relations from Webster University in 2008, and her B.A. in Political Science from the University of North Carolina Wilmington in 2004. Mary also attended Campbell University School of Law.